PASCO ME-6825A MINI LAUNCHER User Manual

Page 31

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012-05479B

Mini Launcher

29

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PERFORM THE FOLLOWING THREE STEPS FOR THE ELASTIC COLLISION AND THEN
REPEAT THESE THREE STEPS FOR THE INELASTIC COLLISION:

➃

For the x-direction, check that the momentum before equals the momentum after the
collision. To do this, use the lengths for the momentums and calculate the x-components
using the angles. Record the results in Tables 6.1 and 6.2.

➄

For the y-direction, check that the momenta for the two balls are equal and opposite, thus
canceling each other. To do this, calculate the y-components using the angles. Record the
results in the Tables.

➅

Calculate the total kinetic energy before and the total kinetic energy after the collision.
Calculate the percent difference. Record the results in the Tables.

Questions

➀

Was momentum conserved in the x-direction for each type of collision?

➁

Was momentum conserved in the y-direction for each type of collision?

➂

Was energy conserved for the elastic collision?

➃

Was energy conserved for the inelastic collision?

➄

For the elastic collision, was the angle between the paths of the balls after the collision
equal to 90 degrees as expected?

➅

For the inelastic collision, what was the angle between the paths of the balls after the
collision? Why is it less than 90°?

Initial

x-momentum

Final

x-momentum

% difference

y-momentum

ball 1

y-momentum

ball 2

% difference

Initial KE

Final KE

% difference

Initial

x-momentum

Final

x-momentum

% difference

y-momentum

ball 1

y-momentum

ball 2

% difference

Initial KE

Final KE

% difference

Table 6.2 Results for the Inelastic Collision

Table 6.1 Results for the Elastic Collision

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